Two wonderful ladies, Jaime Morrow and Erin L. Funk, sponsor this weekly meme. The purpose? To help us writerly people keep in touch with each other and simply let the world know what's up! Feel free to go on over and join in on the fun.
This week. . . .
1) What I'm Reading
I'm still working through Elodie Nowodazkij's ONE TWO THREE. I'm really enjoying it but have to keep putting it down to keep up with my book review blog. I guess sometimes the best things are devoured slowly.
Otherwise, I read ADVENTURES WITH RAGWEED by Linda Lou Crosby, a fun bunch of short adventures with a spunky (and slightly off-tilter) girl. Great for kids since it's packed full of fun in a bunch of really short bursts. And two books out of the Pandora Box Set - a YA/NA collection of paranormal tales (most are full length, already published books!) from some really amazing authors. I honestly can recommend this to all you paranormal YA/NA fans, especially since last I looked it was only 99 cents on Amazon.
2) What I'm Writing
I actually got a chapter revised yesterday! Woot! Woot! And I've made some important discoveries about my MC, ones which I can't believe I didn't see before. I'm not writing as much as I'd like, but I've noticed that the story is still morphing in my mind, so maybe not scribbling everything down yet is a good thing.
3) What is Inspiring Me
Knowing that the kids start school soon and for the very first time, I'll be home all day all by myself. (The German school system had them usually home around 12:00 already) I can't wait to chomp through those MSs this year!
4) What Else is Going On
Phew! A lot. We went to an amusement park on Thursday and were happily surprised that there's a really awesome cave tour included in the price. Amusement park = cave tour??? I blinked several times. But the cave was one of the better ones I've seen, and I'm a real cave tour junky.
Saturday, we picked up my daughter's friend from the airport and spent the day combing the huge city of Springfield, MO. Yeah, I'm being sarcastic. It's smaller than my hometown Denver, but tons bigger than our little bunch of stories (hahaha - I meant stores- you see where my brain is!) and houses out here in the boonies.
Sunday and Monday, the neighbor boys came over with tons of ideas on how to demonstrate their hill-billiness to the German girl. Very entertaining.
So, we're busy...busy...busy!
Before I run out of breath, I'll slide right into another favorite thing of mine:
This is a super, awesome, amazing support group for writers. If you haven't heard of it or aren't a member yet, you are missing something. Seriously. It's the brain-child of Alex J. Cavanaugh, who just happens to be as amazing as this group. You can find out all the information here.
My theme this month is to simply enjoy the more quiet waters.
Right now, I don't have any specific insecurities. I'm just kind of floating along. Time is a little bit of an issue right now, but that's fine because in a little less than two weeks (unless the world does a huge, unexpected flip-flop), I'll have more writing time than I know what to do with. I'm really excited about it. Especially since I'm in love with two WIPs, and there's another one waiting on the back burner.
I should be nervous about submissions, but my agent is holding off until everyone is back from summer vacation and at their desks (which means a couple of more weeks). So there's nothing to worry about on that front yet either. Plus, I got a little, indirect, extra 'hug' from her this last week, which us writers can never seem to get enough of.
I think this is the first time since I've started seriously writing that I've felt calm--with a dab of excitement. No self-doubt today (although that monster will come back full-tilt!). No impatience...whoa! Did I say that? No thoughts of throwing my laptop out the window and giving up this entire writing thing. (But this will come again too, I'm sure.)
So, I'm leaning back in my writing inner-tube and simply enjoying the float down the river because the next rapids is on the way--probably a huge one.
And what about you? What have you been writing? Gone over a waterfall yet? Or did you forget to pack your swimsuit? What's up on your front?
Wahoo for writing time! I'm sending two of my littles to school for the first time ever in just over a month, and while it freaks me out a bit, I can hardly imagine all the sanity it will free up. Apparently my brain is only operating on half-status, so I'm going to need it.
ReplyDeleteCave tours, eh? I'm a spelunker and have seen some spots most people will never experience. Nature is amazing, eh?
That's great to hear! We can't be insecure and neurotic all the time. Hope you get all that writing time soon.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you are having a calm and peaceful period! I get those too, and they are so wonderful! (I wish they'd hang around longer.)
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm Reading: Turn Right at Machu Picchu by Mark Adams. It's semi-research because I'm pondering an upper MG premise set in 1920's South America, and plus, my husband and I would love to visit there.
What I'm Writing: I'm back to the WIP I thought I was going to break up with. Added a new chapter and started the next one.
What's Inspiring Me: My husband. He returned from a lengthy business trip to Japan and talked me out of breaking up with my WIP.
What Else is Going On: Trying to eat less and more healthy, get more exercise, and lose some weight. I think I've done a bang up job at the first two, and I'm waiting for my body to admit that fact and give up a few pounds.
'Calm with a dab of excitement' sounds like the perfect state to be in right now. Like you, I am looking forward to more writing time once school starts. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteSeems like the summer is when things always seem to slow down for writers. I just got back from a week long vacation with my family where I thought I'd get a bunch of writing done. No such luck!
ReplyDeleteNicely done on getting that chapter revised, especially with all the other busyness you've got going on! And that's great that your story is taking shape in your mind and that your'e having revelations about your mc. Sometimes time to mull instead of draft is just what's in order.
ReplyDeleteI've only ever been on one cave tour that I remember. It was Ruby Falls in Tennessee and I really enjoyed it! Glad you had fun on your tour! Have a super week!
Crystal - It's great when the kids go to school, but it's better when they're at home ;) I would LOVE to go spelunking!!!
ReplyDeleteAlex - Lol! If we were, we'd all end up in a mental institute...will we anyway???
Dianne - Yay to exercise! I'm sure your body will show it soon. Your hubs must really like the other MS if he wants you to go back to it. My kids are trying to convince me to do the same thing with one I shelved a couple of years ago. I'll give in some day soon too ;)
Sheri - It looks like school begin will also start a writing frenzy. Good luck with it!
Ken - Where the family is involved, writing time disappears. But that's good so.
Erin - I'll have to check that one out. Tennessee isn't TOO far from us, I guess.
Yay for getting that chapter revised. When the kids go to school, you'll make huge improvements! My 3 year old twins start in September too, and while its only 2 hours a day, I CANNOT wait to write my heart away lol
ReplyDeleteAnd hey, 'Calm with a dab of excitement' is a pretty good place to be! :D
Revising a chapter is great! And it definitely sounds like it will be lovely to have some time alone just for writing, =)
ReplyDeleteNever underestimate the power of brainstorming. ^_^ I like caves. I've only been in one, but I loved it.
ReplyDeleteWhat does patience feel like? Lol! Actually, I'm about worn out enough to be patient. I get more patient everyday. :)
I like the idea of enjoying the quiet waters, I really do. But with a bunch of queries out and a sequel mostly plotted, I'm heading into at least one kind of rapids. Gah!
ReplyDeleteGERMAN SCHOOLS GET OUT AT 12 O'CLOCK??? :-O Why couldn't I have grown up in Germany? *whines*
ReplyDeleteMan, a cave tour? You do all the fun things.
Ooo--Denver! I didn't know you grew up there. Have you ever been to the Tattered Cover?
Glad you are enjoying a moment of calm. I'm sure you can weather whatever storms are ahead. And for Pete's sake--it won't all be bad! Some of it will be awesome--maybe even most of it! The important thing is to have fun with all your new writing time!
That's great that you're enjoying calm waters. :) Have a fun rest of your summer! :)
ReplyDeleteSome time alone just for writing? Enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteAnd enjoy your calm and lazy float down the river in your writing inner-tube....